07/27/2005

Births
Hope and Nicholas Rodriguez of Idalou, a son weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces at 4:20 p.m. July 13 in Covenant Medical Center.

Sony BMG Music agrees to pay $10 million 'payola' settlement
NEW YORK (AP) - Recording industry titan Sony BMG Music Entertainment agreed Monday to pay $10 million and stop bribing radio stations to feature its artists in what a state official called a more sophisticated generation of the payola scandals of decades ago.

Consumer confidence drops in July
NEW YORK (AP) - Americans' anxiety about the economy and their jobs resurfaced in July, sending a widely followed measure of consumer confidence downward and ending a three-month winning streak.

AFL-CIO founders as unions jump ship
CHICAGO (AP) - The AFL-CIO splintered on Monday, spooking some Democratic Party leaders and the ranks of organized workers, their futures in the hands of labor rebels who bolted the 50-year-old federation vowing to reverse the steep decline in union membership.

Existing home sales set historic records
WASHINGTON (AP) - Existing homes were sold at the fastest pace in history last month, and the median price set a record as well. But some private economists predicted housing may be nearing its peak as mortgage rates begin to rise.

IBM Corp. introduces new system
NEW YORK (AP) - Trying to stay atop the market for corporate computer servers, International Business Machines Corp. renewed its lucrative line of mainframe computers Tuesday with a new system aimed at helping banks, government agencies and other big customers keep data secure.

New Market Street in store for shoppers
United Supermarkets Ltd. said Tuesday it plans to construct a second Market Street store in Lubbock, this one at the southeast corner of 98th Street and Quaker Avenue.

Tech tabs Murray as track assistant
When Wes Kittley left Abilene Christian University in 1999 to become Texas Tech track and field coach, Jon Murray picked up where Kittley left off at ACU, winning more national titles.

Law Should Prevent Identity Theft
PEOPLE WHO HAVE been victims of identity theft know what a nightmare the crime can be. It is an extremely fast-growing offense, and a growing number of people in Texas and in every other state each year are having to deal with the problems that are caused by use of their personal information by crooks.

New CEO Hits Ground Running
THE NEW CEO of the area's largest government-supported provider of job training and child care programs will need little if any time familiarizing himself with his new job, duties and responsibilities.

Lubbock team wins national tourney
Team Texas Titan Blast, a 10-and-under Lubbock girls youth softball team, went 4-0 to win its age division last weekend at the USSSA National Youth Recreational Tournament in Clovis, N.M.

Midwest All-Stars fall short
The Lubbock Midwest Little League All-Stars needed to win one of two games on Tuesday to advance to the Southwestern Region Tournament.

Charles' record three TDs lead South to victory
SAN ANTONIO - Jamaal Charles of Port Arthur Memorial tied a Texas High School Coaches Association Football All-Star Game record with three touchdowns to lead the South team to a 37-21 victory over the North on Tuesday at the Alamodome.

Property Rights Revisited
As I hear the public outcry over the Supreme Court decision concerning the issue of eminent domain, I am reminded of the Lubbock Smoking Ordinance controversy two years ago. I wish there had been the same level of concern for private property rights then when Lubbock citizens eagerly and overwhelmingly voted to give up the right to control their own property to the city government.

Kind Gesture Uplifting
During a visit to Dallas with my wife, we were having coffee at a national chain restaurant when I came across an article about a certain Fatina Abrabboh, a student at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

'Jezebel Principle'
Because the Supreme Court has invoked the Jezebel Principle regarding private property ownership, many poor Naboths can begin kissing their family vineyards, homesteads and livelihoods goodbye, without benefit of Constitutional protection.

Knee pain may respond to acupuncture
People with chronically aching knees, caused by worn-away cartilage and cushioning, often turn to painkilling drugs to keep themselves moving. But gastrointestinal side effects and heart risks make these medications a difficult option for some.

News brief
Joseph Menaldi was upgraded to serious condition Tuesday at University Medical Center. He was dragged by a car in South Lubbock on Thursday night after an argument with a group of motorists.

UMC anticipating record admissions
University Medical Center could reach a milestone in patient care this year, with more than 20,000 people possibly passing through the hospital's doors.

Road construction
North and south of Lubbock Wrecker Service, 3209 Slaton Highway - excavation, installation and backfill for storm sewer line and manhole construction, as part of South Lubbock Drainage Project.

Road construction
North and south of Lubbock Wrecker Service, 3209 Slaton Highway - excavation, installation and backfill for storm sewer line and manhole construction, as part of South Lubbock Drainage Project.

County sacks monument, keeps garden
Lubbock County Commissioners decided Monday to remove a victims' rights monument from the courthouse lawn in response to a controversy over whether it interfered with a defendant's right to a fair trial.

Effort under way to fight cervical cancer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Virtually all deaths from cervical cancer are preventable, yet the disease will kill almost 4,000 women in this country this year. Frustrated scientists know who most of them will be: black women in the South, Hispanics along the Texas-Mexico border, white women in Appalachia and the rural Northeast, Vietnamese immigrants.

'Raging Grannies' plead innocent; hearing set
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Five older women known as the "Tucson Raging Grannies" pleaded innocent Monday to misdemeanor trespassing charges lodged when they tried to enlist at a military recruitment center.

Conservation hit by energy bill
WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawmakers scaled back support for energy conservation and efficiency programs as part of a $11.5 billion tax package expected to be added today to a sweeping energy bill that Congress hopes to complete this week.

Senate affirms government's support for Boy Scout events
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate voted Tuesday to allow U.S. military bases to continue to host Boy Scout events, responding to lawsuits and a federal court ruling aimed at severing relationships between the government and the youth group.

Today in history
Today is Tuesday, July 26, the 207th day of 2005. There are 158 days left in the year.

Scouts mourn death of four; Jamboree begins today as scheduled
BOWLING GREEN, Va. (AP) - They were deeply devoted to the Boy Scouts, traveling thousands of miles to the woods of northern Virginia for 10 fun-filled days of fishing, archery and storytelling beside the campfire. One of their first tasks: Set up a large tent.

Countdown Discovery in final hours
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - With the countdown entering its final hours and a fuel gauge problem still unexplained, NASA said it is prepared to bend its long-standing safety rules to launch the shuttle today on the first flight since Columbia's doomed mission 21/2 years ago.

High-tech eyes capture launch damage for NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - In uneasy reminders of the Columbia accident, a thermal tile apparently got chipped and other debris whirled around Discovery as it rumbled toward space Tuesday, but it wasn't clear if the shuttle's sensitive skin had been jeopardized.

From 'depths of despair' ......
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - America's manned space program roared back to life Tuesday with the launch of Discovery, and engineers immediately began analyzing video of falling debris in hopes of ruling out a problem like the one that doomed Columbia 21/2 years ago.

Today in history
Today is Wednesday, July 27, the 208th day of 2005. There are 157 days left in the year.

Mildred Chambers
Mildred Marie Chambers of Lubbock and formerly of Kermit departed this life Sunday, July 24, 2005 in Lubbock.

Joanna Phillips
Services for Joanna Phillips, 72, of Plainview will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at First Baptist Church in Plainview with Dr. Travis Hart officiating. Burial will be at Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home of Abernathy.

David C. Johnson
Mr. David C. Johnson was born Oct. 1, 1918 in Slocum, Ala. to the union of the late Arrilla (Bimbo) and Jim Johnson, and was the 5th of 13 children. Mr. Johnson served in the United States Army during WWII. He moved to Newark, N.J., where he met and married Melmar Lawrence Johnson. To this union two daughters were born. She preceded him in death November 1986.

Shane Anderson
Graveside services for Shane Anderson, 49, of Floydada will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Lakeview Cemetery in Floyd County with Robby Robertson and Bob Adams officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Adams Funeral Home of Crosbyton.

Novelle Bussey Newson
Services for Novelle Bussey Newsom of Lubbock will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 28, 2005, in the Trinity Church Chapel. Pastor Paul Jantzen will officiate, assisted by Reverend Bill Bowers of Fort Worth. Interment will be in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home.

Death notices
Shane Anderson, 49, of Floydada died Sunday, July 24, 2005, at Covenant Medical Center. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. today at the Rushing Chapel Cemetery. Adams Funeral Home in Crosbyton.

Jesse Hugh Snodgrass
Services for Jesse Hugh Snodgrass, 87, of Lubbock and formerly of Tokio will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 28, 2005, at Plains First Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Doyle officiating. Interment will be 11 a.m. prior to the service at Plains Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home in Brownfield.

Maria Mercedes Samudio
Services for Maria Mercedes Samudio, 81, of Lubbock will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 27,2005, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Father Michael Melcher officiating. Burial will be at the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Guajardo Funeral Chapels.

Death notices
Shane Anderson, 49, of Floydada died Sunday, July 24, 2005, at Covenant Medical Center. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Lakeview Cemetery in Floyd County. Adams Funeral Home in Crosbyton.

Genevieve Bragg Caldwell
Genevieve Bragg Caldwell was born Feb. 9, 1914, near Rochester to Susan Mansell and William Jesse Bragg, West Texas pioneers. Genevieve attended West Texas State and graduated from Texas Tech in 1937 with a B.A. degree in English. Her passion for learning was so great that she picked cotton one summer and worked at several other part-time jobs during the lean years of the Depression in order to continue her education. She later attained an M.A. degree from Texas Tech during the 1950's.

Meredith Kennedy Moyer
Meredith Kennedy Moyer of Lubbock peacefully departed this life Sunday, July 24, 2005, in Lubbock at the age of 17 months. She was born Feb. 24, 2004 in Lubbock to Kris and Renee Deatherage Moyer.

Marie Klesel
Services for Marie Klesel, 97, of Lubbock and formerly of Slaton will be 2:30 p.m. today, July 27, 2005, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Slaton with Pastor Lewis Wilkins officiating. Burial will be at Southland's Resthaven Cemetery under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

Whit E. Jarratt
Services for Whit E. Jarratt of Lubbock and formerly of Comanche will be 2 p.m. today, July 27, 2005, at Hall & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Comanche with Dr. Van Christian and the Rev. Sam Randolph officiating. Interment will follow at the Comanche Co. Gardens of Memories under the direction of Hall & Sons Funeral Home.

Daniel Lee Montgomery
Funeral services for Daniel Lee Montgomery, 47, of Slaton will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 28, 2005, at Englunds Chapel with the Rev. Joe Stansell, a cousin of Danny's from San Antonio, officiating. Interment will be at Englewood Cemetery under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

Marie Adrian
Visitation for Marie Adrian, 85, of Petersburg will be from 6 until 8 p.m. tonight, July 27, 2005, at White Funeral Home in Idalou.

Margie Qualls Heafner
Margie Qualls Heafner, 82, of Lubbock died Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a local hospital.

Enedina "Annie" Molina
Graveside services for Enedina "Annie" Molina, 69, of Lubbock will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park with Father Joy Thachil officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home.

Police blotter
Blotter information is compiled from reports filed with the Lubbock Police Department.To report information about these or other crimes, call Crime Line at 741-1000.

Wood going on DL, then to bullpen
CHICAGO (AP) - Kerry Wood's troublesome right shoulder sent him back to the disabled list Monday. And when he's able to pitch again for the Chicago Cubs this season, it will be out of the bullpen instead of the rotation.

Soriano powers Rangers past Orioles
BALTIMORE - Alfonso Soriano homered, had three hits and drove in two runs, leading the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night that stopped a five-game losing streak.

Astros slip past Phillies in ninth on Lamb's shot
HOUSTON - Mike Lamb led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run and Roy Oswalt threw a complete game to move into a tie for the most wins in the National League as the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Biggio, Berkman set team record in Astros' 7-1 win
HOUSTON - Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman set an Astros record by hitting consecutive home runs twice in one game, and Andy Pettitte won his fifth straight decision to lead Houston past the Philadelphia Phillies 7-1 Monday night.

Sosa's historic homer helps sink Texas
BALTIMORE (AP) - Sammy Sosa hit his 586th home run to tie Frank Robinson for fifth place on the career list, and the Baltimore Orioles ended a six-game skid by defeating the Texas Rangers 5-4 Tuesday night.

Brown meets with Knicks' interim coach
NEW YORK (AP) - Larry Brown and Herb Williams planned to break bread together Monday night, one of the last steps before Brown decides whether he wants to become head coach of the New York Knicks.

Yankees lose Brown again; Pavano pushed back
NEW YORK (AP) - Kevin Brown was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday because of his bad back and Carl Pavano's return from a shoulder injury was pushed back, leaving the New York Yankees uncertain about two turns in their rotation this week.

Inmate escapes in sheriff's SUV
AMARILLO (AP) - Authorities on Tuesday were searching for a Potter County jail inmate who fled in a Sheriff's Department SUV containing guns.

Hobbs mother arrested after death of 8-month-old
HOBBS, N.M. - A woman whose son died after he was found not breathing last week was arrested Monday on a charge of abandonment or abuse of a child resulting in death, according to Hobbs police.

Woman charged in son's death
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) - A Hobbs woman was arrested and charged Monday afternoon in connection with the death of her 8-month-old son, police said.

Evacuation follows Abilene train derailment
ABILENE (AP) - A train derailed Tuesday morning in downtown Abilene, leaving two cars overturned and forcing the evacuation of some homes and businesses for several hours.

Testimony begins in death of officer
FORT WORTH (AP) - Testimony is set to begin today in the trial of a man accused of being drunk when his car hit and killed a North Texas police officer whose death was captured by a camera in his patrol car.

Senate concerns sap momentum on education bill
AUSTIN (AP) - After early signs of moving quickly to pass an education funding bill, the summer's second special session on school finance slowed down Monday with new worries from senators that the bill doesn't do their home districts much good.

Body buried in occupied grave; pair charged
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Police on Tuesday charged a son and mother with killing her 64-year-old husband, wrapping the body in clear plastic and duct tape and burying it in an occupied grave.

Whitmore named to LEDA board
Texas Tech President Jon Whitmore has been named to the board of directors of the Lubbock Economic Devleopment Alliance.

Second Market Street planned for Lubbock
United Supermarkets Ltd. is expected to announce later today that the company plans to construct a second Market Street location in Lubbock.
The city's dominant grocery store chain said it intends to break ground on the new 63,000-square-foot store at the southeast corner of 98th Street and Quaker Avenue.

Consumer Price Index up for third straight month
Lubbock's consumer price index rose for the third straight month, led by a sharp increase in "other goods and services," Lubbock National Bank/Lubbock Economic Development Alliance reported Wednesday.

Suspects named in botched bombings
LONDON (AP) - A clear plastic food tub could be a significant clue for police hunting those behind the botched London transit bombings: Detectives said Monday that the four bombs, and a fifth discovered later in a park, were all made using the same kind of humble kitchen container.

Draft suggests Islam to play major role in Iraqi civil law
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A chapter of Iraq's draft constitution obtained by The Associated Press on Monday gives Islam a major role in Iraqi civil law, raising concerns that women could lose rights in marriage, divorce and inheritance.